ackage of hams or tongues, or a cask of salted herrings, I
should have eaten them raw with considerable satisfaction. The more
hungry I felt the more desperate I became. I at last fixed on a place
for commencing operations. There appeared to be more woodwork there
than anywhere else, or else the chests were piled upon each other. At
all events they would afford me a foothold. That I might have less
chance of slipping I had kicked off my boots, supposing that I could
easily find them again. I climbed up and up. Of course I had to move
very cautiously, not leaving go with one hand until I had a firm grasp
of some fixed object with the other. I got up a considerable distance,
and pressing against a board, it gave way, and a tremendous crash
followed, as if a number of boxes filled with bottles had fallen to the
ground. Putting up my hand, I felt a beam above my head; could it be
one of the rafters, or the roof? I was for some time afraid to move,
lest I should fall headlong down. I passed my hand along the beam, but
could not reach the floor it supported. I now tried to crawl cautiously
along on the top of the woodwork or the pile of chests, for I could not
determine which they were. Every now and then I stopped and stretched
out my hand, but could feel nothing above me.

I must again beg my readers to try and picture to themselves my
unpleasant position. The only wonder to myself is that I kept up my
spirits. I did not forget that any moment something might give way
below me, and that I might pitch down to the floor of the vault on my
head. I had gone on some way, when, stretching out my hand, I
discovered nothing beyond me. I was on the very edge of the erection.
The only thing I could do was to go back the way I had come, or to
descend to the floor. Fearing that I should be unable to pass the spot
where I had thrown over the cases, I resolved to adopt the latter
alternative.

I bethought me that if I had had a pole it would have assisted me
greatly to discover the trap-door leading to the vault. It was easier
to climb up than to climb down, as I could not feel with my feet as I
could with my hands. The attempt, however, must be made. Having got to
the edge of the plank and ascertained that it was secure, I gradually
let myself down, when I found myself resting on another plank or the
edge of a chest, I could not tell which. Let any one try in the dark to
do what I was attempting to do, and it will